Home / Crime and Justice / Sydney Police Seize 36 High-Speed Ebikes
Sydney Police Seize 36 High-Speed Ebikes
12 Sep
Summary
- Police seized 36 illegal ebikes, some reaching 90km/h.
- Owners have 14 days to appeal seizure before bikes are crushed.
- NSW recorded 233 ebike injuries and four deaths in 2025.
Police on Sydney's northern beaches have seized 36 "illegal ebikes" as part of a coordinated effort with the NSW government to curb dangerous riding. One seized ebike, belonging to a 14-year-old, was found to be capable of speeds exceeding 90km/h. This operation was launched following recent incidents of illegal and reckless ebike use.
New legislation grants NSW police the power to destroy ebikes exceeding the legal speed limit of 25km/h. Seized bike owners have a 14-day period to appeal, after which the vehicles will be crushed. The government has invested in portable speed-testing devices to quickly measure ebike power output. These measures aim to ensure ebikes function as bicycles, not motorcycles.
While ebikes offer environmental and health benefits, they have also been linked to a concerning rise in injuries and fatalities. NSW recorded 233 injuries and four deaths from ebike incidents in the first seven months of 2025, compared to 226 injuries in all of 2024. Authorities are committed to enforcing upgraded laws to ensure public safety.
This crackdown follows a previous incident where approximately 40 ebikes swarmed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Such displays of dangerous riding have drawn strong criticism, with federal health minister Mark Butler labeling ebikes a "total menace" and calling for stricter controls on their import and use.
